Mass Sociogenic Illness in Teens Linked to Social Media Exposure
In 2021, a surge of teenagers across several countries, including the U.S., developed sudden, severe tics resembling Tourette syndrome. These tics, which included shouting offensive phrases and self-harm, were initially attributed to pandemic stress. However, Dr. Kirsten Müller-Vahl from Hannover Medical School identified a pattern linking these symptoms to social media exposure, particularly to influencers with Tourette syndrome on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The phenomenon, termed 'mass social media-induced illness,' marked the first documented case of mass sociogenic illness spreading via social media rather than physical proximity. The affected teenagers were found to have been engaging with online communities that provided a sense of belonging and validation for their symptoms. 
